Wall-paper trimmer or cutter



Patented Mar. I4, I899.

T. EMPFIEL'D. WALLPAPER TRIMMER DB CUTTER.

(Application filed Apr. 29, 1898.)

(No Model.)

W/TNESSES m: "cams PETERS cu, Pno'rouma. WASHINGTON, o. a

NITED STATES THOMAS J. EMPFIELD,

WALL-PAPER TRI OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

MMER OR CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Application filed April 2 9 1 8 9 8- Patent No. 621,299, dated March 14, 1899.

Serial N0. 679,213. (No model.)

-To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, THOMAS J. EMPFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Wall-Paper Trimmers or Gutters; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art .to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in wallpaper cutters; and it consists in a straight-edge of any suitable construction suitably grooved and to which a guiding-rail is secured, combined with the carriage having suitable lugs to catch over the edges of the rail, a spring secured to the carriage, and a vertically-movable carrier carrying a revolving knife and which is adapted to be raised and lowered upon the carriage, so as to bring the knife into action whenever so desired,all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of this invention is to provide a cutting-tool which will cut in a straight true line and which is intended more especially for the use of paper-hangers for cutting wallpaper, although it may be used for other purposes.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wall-paper cutter which embodies my invention. Fig. 2 is an edge View of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the carriage and the track. Fig. 4 is a'detached view of .the knife-carrier. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the carriage shown. in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through the knife-carrier. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 show modifications.

2 represents a straight-edge, which has the groove 3 formed therein and to which the metal strip or rail 1 is secured in any suitable manner, the upper edge of the rail or strip projecting a suitable distance above the straight-edge and the lower edge of the strip projecting a suitable distance below the top of the groove, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9. The lower edge of the groove may have the strip 1 secured to it, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to bring this lower edge out in a vertical line with the rail or strip 1, as shown in Fig. 2, or the lower edge of the groove may project out so as to be in a straight line with the rail or strip, as shown. Either construction may be employed. The strip 1 assists in keeping the edge from warping, and by having it project slightly below the portion 2 it will serve to hold firmly in place the material tobe cut. This lower strip 1, however, is not essential, and the construction shown in Fig. 9 may be used with the same effect.

The carriage consists of the two posts 4:, having the lugs 10 formed upon their inner sides, so as to catch over the projecting edges of the rail or strip 1, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus hold the carriage in position upon the rail, so as to be moved freely back and forth there- These two posts are united by the bridge 5, upon the top of which is secured the flat spring 6 by the rivet 7. Upon the outer side of the carriage are formed the guides 8 8, which serve to retain the knife-carrierin position upon the carriage and be guided in its vertical movements. All of the carriage with the exception of the spring 6 is cast in a single piece, and the carriage is placed upon the rail or strip so as to slide freely back and forth thereon at one edge of the rail.

The knife-carrier 22 (shown more especially in Figs. 4 and 6) consists of a single flat casting which has its outer edges held between the guides 8 and the body of the carriage and has its upper portion to extend outward over the top of the knife 15 any desired distance. Upon the inner side of this carrier 22 is formed a threaded hollow post 13 into which the screw 14 or 14 is screwed. If the small screw 14 is used, a washer 18 is used in connection therewith, and this washer is wider than the post 13, so as to project beyond opposite edges thereof and form shoulders to prevent the plate 16, which is placed upon the post or shoulder next to the body of the carrier and is held in position by the washer. In case it should be preferred to use the screw let the head of the screw is made of the same size as the washer 18, and this head serves the same purpose of holding the plate 16 in position. To the plate 16, which is held in position upon on without the danger of becoming displaced.

the post by the washer or the head of the screw 1a, is secured the circular sharp-ed ged plate or cutter by means of screws 17, and this cutter revolves freely with the circular plate whenit is in contact with. the material to be cut and the carriage is moved back and forth upon the rail. The top of the carriage and the carrier are moved back and forth for the purpose of trimming the edge of the paper. The spring 6 serves to hold the carrier in a raised position when the knife is not brought into play; but when the knife is to trim the paper the downward pressure of the hand overcomes the tension of the spring 6 and the knife sinks to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. As soon as the pressure of the hand is released the carrier is raised by the spring.

In order to prevent the carrier from becoming separated from the carriage, small screws 11 may be applied to the lower corners of the carrier, and these screws by striking against the guides S will prevent the carriage from being raised beyond a certain point. The plate 16, secured to the rear side of the knife 15, not only serves to keep the knife in position, but gives it the necessary firmness and rigidity to prevent it from having any other than a turning movement, and hence the knife will cut in an absolutely straight line. Upon the inner side of the carrier is formed the swell or bulge 12, and against this portion the circular plate 1.6 bears. This swell is of less diameter than the plate 16, and from the center of it the post 13 projects.

Instead of the construction shown in Figs.

1, 2, 3, and 5, if so desired, the carrier may be constructed as shown in Figs. .7 and 8, and thus made to catch over the opposite vertical edges of the carriage, whereby the guides 8 are entirely dispensed with. In this case the lugs 9 are formed upon the carriage, while the outer portion of the carrier is provided with This form of conr a piece of soft material 20, of rubber or felt, is placed inside of the plug or stop 19, and this soft piece 20 serves to prevent any jar when the carriage drops down. The other edge of the groove is left open, so as to allow the carriage to be freely removed whenever so desired; but this end is not turned downward when putting the tool away.

From the description now given it will be seen that by pressing downward with the hand upon' the top of the knife-carrier it will be depressed until the knife or cutting-disk comes in contact with the material to be cut, as shown by the lower dotted circle in Fig. 7, and by pressing forward the trimmer will travel upon the track or rail on the straight-edge, the knife or disk revolving and cutting the material with which it is in contact. Upon removing the hand the knife-carrier will be forced upward by the spring (3 to its normal position and the knife will again resume the position shown by the upper circle in Figs. 1 and 7.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a movable paper-cutter, a suitable track, a carriage placed thereon, and provided with lugs which catch over the projecting edges of the rail, and a bridge, and a spring placed-upon the top of the bridge, combined with a vertically-moving carrier, and a rotating knife journaled thereon, substantially as described.

2. In a paper-cutter, a carrier provided with a hollow post 13, a washer placed thereon, a rotary cutter attached to a circular plate journaled upon said post and washer and a screw for holding the washer in position upon the post.

3. In a movable paper-cutter, a carriage consisting of the posts 4 provided with guides upon their outer sides, and the lugs 10 upon their inner sides, to engage with the rail, a bridge connecting the posts and forming a support for the spring, combined with a vertically-moving carrier with stops at its lower ends to limit its upward movement, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOS. J. Elli I FIELD.

Vv'itn esses:

I. O. ANDERSON, E. O. SUSEMIHL. 

